Political Liberties and Equal Social Status

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Instituto de Investigaciones Filosóficas

Abstract: The paper unpacks the reasons underlying the status argument, according to which political liberties are necessary to ensure citizens’ equal social status. Albeit commonly accepted, the argument remains largely unexplored. Three reasons are unfolded. First, political liberties confer political power, thus placing disenfranchised individuals under the rule of others. Second, political liberties have relational value, in the sense that disenfranchised individuals, and given the positional character of political liberties, are socially downgraded to the extent that others enjoy franchise. Third, political liberties have expressive value, in the sense that the state publicly treats disenfranchised individuals as less than full moral agents with the ability to exercise political power responsibly.